Saints Women fall to defeat against Swans

Match Report

https://Twitter.com/tnsfcwomen/status/1977349973806022760

Goals: Gibbs (25)
Yellow cards: Harrison (72)
Substitutions: Davies for Paraiso (46), Crees for Gibbs (60), Thomas for Harrison (86)

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead image: Craig Thomas / FAW

It was a first defeat at Park Hall Stadium this season in the Genero Adran Premier, as The New Saints Women lost 2-1 to Swansea City.

Zara Gibbs gave The New Saints the lead, before an unfortunate own goal from Mackenzie Haydn-Jones and a Stacey John penalty gave the visitors three points.

It is the first time since the Genero Adran Trophy semi-finals on Sunday, February 25th, 2024, that the Oswestry based-team have lost to the six-time league champions.

Following the sixth round of league fixtures, The Saints stay third in the Adran Premier table.

In the opening minutes of the match, Lucy Finch had a shot from distance for Swansea City that Mackenzie Haydn-Jones collected comfortably.

It was the Swans that continued to test Jodie Williams’ defence not long later, as Chloe Chivers struck a 30-yard free-kick that powered inches wide.

The New Saints came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 21st minute, when a ball from Chantelle Teare was fired across the six-yard area, but no one got on the end of it.

It was The Saints that did take the lead moments on, as a Teare cross found Wales international, Maria Francis-Jones, who hit the ball at goal, and was blocked off the line, before Zara Gibbs scored on the rebound.

Soon after, Yzzy Taylor’s Swansea got an equaliser. Chivers blasted a long-range free-kick that hit the crossbar and went in off goalkeeper, Mackenzie Haydn-Jones.

In the 33rd minute, Swansea City were awarded a penalty. Safia Paraiso took out Aimee Deacon inside the 18-yard area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Stacey John then followed up by scoring in the bottom-right the following minute to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Later on in the half, a corner came in that found Teare, who headed just off target.

Not long into the second 45, substitute, Mia Davies, played a good over-the-top ball to Teare, and the striker hit the post from inside the penalty area.

Midway through the half, Haydn-Jones made a very good save to deny Jones from a few yards out.

Francis-Jones almost scored an audacious attempt from 25-yards out in the wide area of the pitch in the 70th minute that just went narrowly wide, with the defending Genero Adran Trophy holders pushing for an equaliser.

In the 73rd minute, Chapman put in a great ball that almost found Teare outside the goal, but the forward was just a yard short of the cross.

Swans were back on the attack in the 86th minute, when a ball was crossed in, hit Tiggy Webb, and went onto the post before being cleared.

Deep into added-on-time, substitute, Charlotte Crees, had a shot from close-range that went wide, as Williams’ side fell to defeat.

TNS return to action against Barry Town United at Jenner Park in the Adran Premier on Sunday, October 26th.